7 Awesome Flowers for Kids

You’ve probably heard that one of the best ways to get good at something is to start while you’re young, and gardening is no exception. What’s even better about this activity is that kids love to get messy, so if gardening is a hobby that you want them to take up, there's a good chance they'll love planting and digging in their early years.

Keep in mind, though, that the way you garden with children will be different than how you do it on your own: You'll need to start them off slow and simple so that they really learn the ins and outs of it all.

With that in mind, here are seven of the best flowers to plant with kids.

1. Sunflowers

Sunflowers are a great choice for first-time gardeners because their seeds are pretty large and, thus, easier to manage. And since they do well in just about any sunny garden, maintenance isn’t too complex either. For that reason, sunflowers are also ideal if you’re looking for flowers to give to children in a vase: You’ll only need to re-cut the stems and change the water after three days, and keep them in a sunny spot.

2. Impatiens

Impatiens is another flower that doesn’t require much attention in order to thrive; ultimately, you really just need to give them enough water to quench their thirst and put them in a nice shady spot. These are fun flowers to plant with kids during the warmer months, and, depending on where you get them, planting can be as simple as digging a quick hole and sticking the roots in.

3. Roses

There’s nothing quite like a rose bush in full bloom! If your yard has the space, these flowers are great to grow with kids — just be sure to warn them about thorns as the bush grows.

In terms of care, water is huge for roses, whether they’re in the ground or a vase. If you plant them in the ground, they like rich, loose soil. Roses in a vase may need some extra water every day, so make sure to check that the level doesn't get too low.

4. Tulips

A tulip's beautiful colors and bright shades are sure to catch your children's eyes. Should you be looking for a flower to give your child to care for rather than to plant, tulips fit the bill nicely since maintenance is pretty basic. The flowers just need to be kept in a spot that does not receive direct sunlight or any drafts, and the water will need to be changed every 2-3 days. (You can help them with this one by cutting the stems during water changes!)

5. Daffodils

Daffodils should be planted in the fall, so if you’re looking for a fun family activity to do when the weather starts to get cooler, head out to your garden with some daffodil bulbs! While results won't be instant (they’ll bloom in spring), we’re confident that both you and your kids will be amazed when the flowers start to poke through the ground. As for a location, plant them in an area of your garden that’s either totally or partly sunny.

6. Daisies

Daisies, and especially gerbera daisies, are another flower that's perfect for parents and kids to plant and care for together. While seeds for gerberas will require daily watering, they don’t have to be watered too much, so they’re great for teaching children about how to be careful and precise with watering. As they start to grow, you can show them how to remove the dead blooms, which is a great learning opportunity for your children.

7. Carnations

Carnations are a classic, and they’re one flower that we love to see in floral arrangements. They’re easy to work with, not just for planting but also for making unique creations, such as our flower birthday cakes!